The Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Dictionary
Click on a letter of the alphabet to start browsing the dictionary or on one of the items listed below to see the complete entry for that item. Entries include the definition of the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet word in English and its part of speech. Many entries also provide information about the item’s inflection (endings and prefixes), notes about its cultural significance, and English keywords that you can click on to see lists of related terms. Entries may also include audio recordings and example sentences, as well as links to videos that feature the word.
To learn more about Passamaquoddy-Maliseet pronunciation and grammar click on one of the instructional documents in the menu on the right.
This dictionary is a work in progress. Its contents are updated and expanded on a regular basis.
| Entry | Definition |
|---|---|
| petonahsu | s/he brings load, arrives with load |
| 'petonahsuwewal | s/he brings load to h/; (unspecified subject forms, as euphemism) she is menstruating |
| petonike | s/he carries firewood to here |
| 'petonikewal | s/he brings firewood to h/ |
| petonom | s/he gets there, arrives; (in this sense) s/he makes it there |
| petonoma, petonome | s/he gets there, arrives (with difficulty); (in this sense) s/he makes it there |
| petopaks | bedbug |
| petopu | s/he extends to there |
| petoqahtuhuke | s/he, it drifts in, approaches or arrives floating |
| 'petoqonal | s/he grabs and holds h/ |
| petoqonike | s/he is holding on to something to keep from falling; s/he is holding on to someone affectionately |
| 'petoqonomon | s/he grabs and holds it; s/he maintains it |
| 'petpawolal | s/he arrives chasing h/, chases h/ here |
| petpayu | s/he arrives frightened or scared |
| petq- | (see also entries beginning with ptoq-) |
| Petqakomek | in, at Round Pond (lake in eastern Maine) |
| petqapskosossit | (insect) sandfly, gnat, midge, no-see-um |
| petqatpat | hooded seal |
| petqil | quilt, blanket |
| petqils | old or tattered quilt; berry (species uncertain, perhaps Juniperius horizontalis, creeping juniper; plant with prickly leaves that grows in quilt-like patch, which can be lifted as a whole; berries are underneath, white at first, then brownish, with taste like grapes) |
| pets- | (see also entries beginning with ptos-) |
| petson | (wind) it builds up, picks up; wind comes up |
| 'petsopqalal | s/he drops h/ off for care (e.g., child or pet) |
| 'petsopqatomon | s/he drops it off for care (e.g., houseplant) |
| 'petsopqatomuwan | s/he drops off something belonging to h/ for care; s/he drops it off for h/ |